Islamic militants in Iraq are strengthening their grip on the insurgent stronghold of Falluja, four months after American commanders struck a ceasefire deal that was supposed to pacify the city and return it to government control, residents said on Friday. Militants have imposed religious law on communities, issuing edicts and executing those accused of spying and even stealing. United States patrols no longer enter the city, 64km west of Baghdad, and the Falluja Brigade, a government force established in May to maintain security, was disbanded this week.
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